WWIB/WOGO Podcasts
WWIB/WOGO Podcasts
Appearing in their fifth straight Sectional Final, the Lady Macks (18-9, 10-2 Western Cloverbelt Conference) went toe-to-toe with the experienced and physical Panthers (23-5, 12-2 Dunn-St. Croix Conference), who started five seniors and looked every bit the part of a talented, experienced team.
Continuing to show their grit, McDonell went back-and-forth with Durand-Arkansaw for much of the first half, and carried a one-point lead into the locker room. In the second half, however, the Panthers' relentless defense started to generate turnovers, and some timely shooting gave them a lead they would never relinquish as the Lady Macks saw their winning streak come to an end after reeling off 11 consecutive victories.
In a rematch with an opponent who'd beaten them earlier in the season, the Macks (16-10, 6-6 Western Cloverbelt Conference) started out slowly, but then made a run to take the lead over the veterans Lumberjacks (20-6, 13-5 Heart O'North Conference), who withstood the charge and then mounted one of their own, taking a two-possession lead into the locker room.
In the second half, the Macks were never able to get shots to fall, as they saw their season come to a close in the second round of the tournament.
A salute to the Class of 2025, this year's seniors: #1 Grant Smiskey, #3 Cooper Mittermeyer, #10 David Andersen, and #24 Jordan Sikora.
Back at the Sectional level once again, the Lady Macks (18-8, 10-2 Western Cloverbelt Conference) built an early lead against the Comets (23-4, 17-1 Heart O'North Conference), but the veteran-led squad from Cameron steadily made a comeback, eventually surging ahead by two possession at the half.
After the break, McDonell quickly found themselves in a bigger hole, as Cameron opened up an 11-point lead. This time it was the Lady Macks' turn to mount a comeback, as they pulled back in front, and, despite a significant height differential, foul trouble, and a frightening injury, showed their grit and tenacity in a one-point victory as they won their 11th game in a row and advanced to a fifth consecutive Sectional Final.
